MANAIA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1926, Page 2

MANAIA NEWS

TOWN BOARD AFFAIRS. DISCUSSION OF SUBSIDIES. (From Our Own Reporter.) Manaia, Dec. 2. The last meeting for 1926 of the Manaia Town Board was held last night. Present: Councillors N. C. Innes (chairman), V. H. Hobday, H. Mead, E. J. Massey, J. Hickey, Messrs. W. J. Badley (town clerk) and J. D. Dorrie (foreman). An application from the proprietor of the Empress Pictures for permission to show pictures on Christmas Day was granted. Mr. E. Clarke was granted permission to erect a sign board over the footpath under the usual conditions. The foreman’s report was adopted. The Manaia School committee requested the board to erect half the fence between the school grounds and the board’s section. It was pointed out that the board had agreed to exchange sections with the committee some time ago providing the committee paid all expenses, but that nothing further had been heard from the committee and that the board awaited further information. The matter of the allocation of heavy traffic fees and the two alternative schemes produced by the executive and Mr. Skoglund produced some discussion. The chairman, as the board’s representative at the Local Bodies’ Association meeting, stated that he preferred the Skoglund scheme, and a motion sponsored by him to that effect was carried. The matter of granting subsidies to various local institutions was brought before the board by a request from the Waimate Plains Library Committee, asking for a subsidy and forwarding its balancesheet, which showed a credit of over £3O, as against £7 the previous year. Various councillors pointed out that this did not take into consideration £56 which the committee received in rent, as the board allowed them the library building rent free, they sub-letting a portion of it. Councillor Hickey. They’re getting too much. We recognise that a library is a good thing, but it appears to be self-sup-porting. The chairman: I think a library is an essential, and I am not in favour of cutting down the subsidy to tack more on to any other institution. Councillor Hickey said they were simply discussing the library subsidy. The rent from the building was already equivalent to a subsidy of £56, not counting, the board’s usual subsidy of £2O, and in comparison with other institutions was a huge subsidy. - Other members agreed, saying that each subsidy should be considered on its merits. The chairman moved that the usual subsidy of £2O be granted, but there was no seconder. Councillor Hobday considered that the footpaths and streets needed more attention in the state of the board’s finances. It was all right to be a good fellow if one had the money.

Councillor Massey brought up the matter of the dilapidated appearance of the building from lack of paint. Eventually the chairman moved that the subsidy be £lO, but ' there was no seconder. Finally it was decided that the board notify the committee that it could not see its way clear to grant the usual subsidy, since it had decided to expend the money in painting the building, but would make a grant for this year only of £lO. The Manaia Band was subsequently granted its usual subsidy of £35. GENERAL. The Government Life Insurance notified that its application for a loan of £5OOO could not be entertained. Councillor Massey: Some one’s still putting the acid in. The chairman stated that he bad been in touch with Mr. H. G. Dickie, M.P., who had promised to take the matter up. In the meantime nothing further could be done. An application from the Bank of New Zealand for permission to erect new premises was granted and the plans approved. Councillor Hickey said he was sorry to see that the gardens in the Domain were in a bad state. He suggested the organisation of a working bee, which was fixed for next Wednesday. The poundkeeper’s report showed that m the last two months only three head of stock had been impounded. The chairman said that there were far more cows grazing on the roads in the town than were licensed and these were becoming a danger to motorists. There was no doubt that the licenses were abused. He suggested a round-up day and that lots be drawn and six owners of unregistered eows be prosecuted. If the owners persisted in grazing more than they were entitled to, then the board must consider reducing the licenses to one cow per person. It was stated that there were numerous unregistered animals straying about. Councillor Massey: I wish to goodness you eould prosecute the - cows for being on licensed premises. I’d get a batch every night. The chairman: Perhaps they’re looking for their owners. Councillor Hickey spoke of the danger caused by motorists speeding through the town, and instanced several narrow escapes.—lt -was decided to draw the attention of the police and the inspector to the matter. The chairman stated that he had been approached by certain ratepayers with a view to having the telephone hours extended from 6 a.m. to mid-night instead of as at present, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. The board resolved to support the recommendation, providing it came from the ratepayers. The usual Christmas holidays were agreed to.